The Arizona champion., 1887-03-26

Sunday, March 2oth, and gives an ln- terssting account of the growth and present condition of Flagstaff:
 Flagstaff is one of this city's near est important neighbors in Arizona, and one of the most suddenly promls- ing. Paralyzed temporarily by the great fire of last year, it has now be- gun a remarkable boom. Its situa- ton is one of the most attractive in the West, and it is the most flourish ing town on the line of the Atlantic and Pacific railroad.
 There is a gentleman in the city at present who has watched the progress of Flagstaff for the past few years, and considers it one of the most booming est places of all the booming towns in the West today. He was met at the St. Elmo yesterday by a Times representative, and imparted the fol- lowing interesting inlormation:
 "Flagstaff is located on the Atlan- tic and Pacific railroad, about $50 miles west of Albuquerque, at the base of the San Francisco Mountains. It is beautifully located in one of the finest lumber and grazing countries in the world. The old town was located some ten years ago, but it made no headway until the Atlantic x Pacific road was constructed. Even then its growth was very slow until about year ago. In fact, the town did not amount to much, except as a lumber camp. But it took jump forward during the past season, when a num- Der of wealthy cattlemen purchased large tracts of land from the Atlantic X Pacific road. A cattle company, called the Arizona Cattle company was organized, with headquarters about six miles from Flagstaff. They have very large tract of land, and about 1000 head of cattle graze on their abundant pastures the year round. The Aztec Cattle company, with headquarters few miles east of the town, own about 3o,ooo head of cattle. They own about [ ,ooo ,oeo acres of land, which they purchased from the Atlantic & Pacific company. There are number of smaller cattle men, whe are fast becoming wealthy. The whole country is we'll watered, and the land produces the best bunch grass in the world. It is superior, if anything. to the celebrated bunch grass of the Humboldt Valley, in Ne vada. There arc about 100, 900 sheep in the mountains near Flagstaff. They are owned principally by the Daggs Bros., Harry Fulton. w. ]. Hill, T. McMillan and and the Lockett Bros. There arc quite a number of smaller sheepmen. The lumber interests arc very extensive. The Aver Lumber company is managed by D. Nj. Rior- dan The company operates four mills; the main mill being located at Mill Town, about one mile west from Flagstaff, It has cspaci- ty of saving 8o,ooo feet oi lumber a day. We are now preparing to turn out boxes for the Los Angeles market. Several other mills have capacity uf Go, 900 feet day. There will be two other mills in working order early this spring. The only lumber VIC have is soft pine, but it is of the very finest quality. The population of Flagstaff, including Mill Town, at present is about 1000, but we are confident from the way people arc coming ia now that the population will more than double in four months. Outside of the lumber and stock interests there is no better business pktce on the coast to-day. The town was almost wiped out by fire about year ago, but since then about sixty large, sub stantial buildings have been erected. Wilson and Bowman are talking of putting up large woolhouse, which will greatly improve the town. Two banks have been started within the last thirty days. One is called the Central Bank of Arizona, with l. H. Hoskins manager. The Flagstaff Bank, with w. G. Stewart as president is doing we'll. We have three large general merchandise stores in town, and all of them are doing we'll. The Arizona Cattle company has opened a large meat-market and is doing fine business along the line of the Atlantic x Pacific railroad. In fact, almost every trade has a representative in Flagstaff, We enjoy good school that is in hourishing condition. There is a Methodist Episcopal church, with large and fourishing congregation, and there IS another church under contemplation. It will be Catholic institution. There is also good newspaper in Flagstaff, the ARIZONA CHAMPION, which has done much to make the merits of the country known and increase its prosperity. Our company owns a store which does a business of about SI5o,ooo year, which shows that business must be good. The Mineral Belt railroad will soon open up the finest country in the world Work was begun about three months since, and fifteen miles have already been built. The road will be pushed to Globe as rapidly as possi- ble, and we expect to have it in Ben- son very soon. The line will extend 3So miles throrgh fine mineral and